That webpage is down now, and I have reproduced intact below, from text files that I saved:

(Never trust the net!)

The Challenge of Contact Message 1

I am going to depart from my usual format in which I talk about my extraordinary experiences of June, 1997, and January, 2000 -- as detailed in my two books: The Contact Has Begun, published by Hay House in January of 1998; and The Challenge of Contact, published in June of this year by Origin Press -- after which I typically take questions from the audience.

I know that many of you have not read either book, although some of you may have read one or the other. Nevertheless, at the risk of leaving many of you in the dark, since you are not familiar with the story, I would like to quote a few passages from The Challenge of Contact. We begin with this item from Page 21:

"Is it possible that the human race simply is incapable of getting along?" he asked rhetorically. "Will the ancient tribal mentalities always predominate? It's almost as if there were an organized, deliberate attempt to create worldwide turmoil, to put our worst foot forward, as though this insanity is being orchestrated."

Also on Page 21, and continuing on Page 22 is the following passage:

In my view this opposition in and of itself wasn't enough to scuttle the program, and I believe Chip tended to agree with me. But he did add the caveat, "...if we don't blow ourselves up first.

"It would be a tragedy of unparalleled proportions to miss such a golden opportunity," he said wistfully.

Those snippets of information were taken from a conversation that took place on Easter Sunday of 1999 in Pinole between me and an Ambassador -- a human who had been recruited to serve as a liaison between the aliens and humans in helping to lay the groundwork to establish diplomatic relations that would lead to formal contact between our two species.

On Page 64 of the same book, there is the following passage:

Ominously, he suggested that a grand conspiracy may have been concocted by forces that oppose the contact, and that there appeared to be a deliberate campaign to stir up as much trouble as possible to discourage the Verdants from following through on their plans.

That last statement was made by a Verdant while I was aboard the ship on my second visit.

The following passage comes from Pages 135 and 136 of the same book:

Right before I left the ship, I asked Gina one more time if any major decisions had been made between the Ambassadors and the Verdants.

"Only one decision is under consideration, and it hasn't yet been made. The Ambassadors gave our people their input, our people listened, and the High Command will make a choice sometime in the near future."

"What do you think it will be?" I asked.

"I don't know and I'm not at liberty to speculate. I do have a bit of advice for you, though. Maybe it can by your first official announcement as our spokesperson."

She paused.

"Get your act together. There are grave concerns that have permeated up to the highest levels."

"My act?"

"No, humans'."

An ominous farewell. Then in a breath I was gone, back in my bedroom. It was Martin Luther King Day.

That conversation also took place in January of 2000 right before I left the starship after two days aboard. In summary, high-level discussions had been conducted aboard the ship between ranking human and alien delegates in which critical questions were raised about whether the planned contact should go ahead as planned. As was noted, the Verdant High Command was going to review the testimony and then make a final decision on the matter. It was possible at this point that a decision could be made to delay, postpone, or abort the program.

About a year later, the decision was made. The effort to establish diplomatic relations would proceed. I learned of this decision from a human emissary in Laughlin, Nevada, in March of this year at the International UFO Convention. However, I was sworn to secrecy at that time.

Then in August, last month, I was given approval to make the announcement. I immediately wrote a news release to that effect and dispatched it to my publisher and asked that it be posted on the web site for my book (thechallengeofcontact.com). I have copies of that news release here for anyone who would like a copy.

Like you, I spent Tuesday of this week sitting in rapt despair in front of the TV set for most of the day, trying without much success to comprehend the horrific events unfolding before me. Like you, I grieved for the loss of life and the unimaginable suffering. At one point, I got up in a daze, retrieved from the closet the American Flag that usually flies from my house only on July 4th and Memorial Day. I secured it in its holder on the eaves of my house. I desperately needed to do something, and that was the only thing I could think of at the moment.

About 6 or 7 pm, the by-now familiar bluish-white iridescent light suddenly appeared, filling the room. I didn't even flinch. It was as though I were almost expecting it. I knew what was coming -- I was going on another journey. Under normal circumstances -- with two previous visits to the ship under my belt -- I would have been excited. But these weren't normal circumstances, considering the events of the day, and instead of feelings of unbridled enthusiasm and happiness, a foreboding knot of anxiety clutched my insides in an icy grip. I knew this couldn't be good news.

I appeared in a comparatively small room, probably the smallest one I had ever been in on the ship. It was more like a private office. I was standing before Sarah, Gina, and Martin. Because of time constraints, I won't attempt to explain who they are, but their rankings, roles and levels of authority are explained in The Challenge of Contact. Sarah was seated behind what I suppose could be described as a desk of sorts, although, with its array of lighted consoles and other high-tech gadgets that I couldn't even describe, it was nothing like I had ever seen before.

Martin and Gina were seated in chairs beside the desk, and all three Verdants were facing me. I was standing alongside another chair in front of the desk that was facing them.

The meeting lasted about half an hour, after which I was returned to my home.

As I suspected, the news was not encouraging. Essentially, I was told that we -- meaning humans -- are not ready. I didn't need an explanation in light of the condition of the world at the moment.

I have copies of a summary of the meeting that I compiled from my notes, which I made upon my return, and I will be glad to make them available for anyone who would like one.

I must confess that I actually gave serious consideration to keeping this incident to myself, to suppress it.

Byron Belitsos, CEO of Origin Press, labored tirelessly and diligently for more than a year with a sense of dedication and purpose that goes well beyond the call of duty to bring The Challenge of Contact to fruition. In addition, he committed considerable financial resources to the undertaking.

In that light, let me say that the book still has significant relevance despite this latest development. I hope most people will appreciate that fact. Byron and I will continue to man the table until the end of the expo.